Freya R. Schnabel, MD

Freya R. Schnabel, MD, Professor of Surgery, NYU School of Medicine, discusses ability to predict the risk for recurrence in women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) using a new 12-gene assay named the DCIS Score.

The study that examined the DCIS Score was designed to explore the tumor samples of women who had received surgery alone without radiation. This analysis found a panel of genes that could help predict whether the patient was at low-, intermediate-, or high-risk for recurrence.

Determining the recurrence risk at the time of lumpectomy aids future treatment decisions, including whether or not to use radiation therapy. Schnabel labels the ability to predict risk a major advance.

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Dr. Freya Schnabel from NYU School of Medicine Discusses the DCIS Recurrence Score

Dr. Schnabel Discusses the DCIS Recurrence Score

Freya R. Schnabel, MD, Professor of Surgery, NYU School of Medicine, summarizes information presented at the 2011 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium that discussed the risk of developing breast cancer in women with atypical lesions.

Atypical ductal and lobular hyperplasia and lobular carcinoma in situ are risk factors for developing breast cancer. The degree of risk varies depending on the atypia type.

All varieties of lesions increased a women's risk for breast by similar amounts. On average cancer began developing 4 years after the lesions were detected, the 10-year cancer risk varied from 14% to 20%. Additionally, the majority of cancers occurred ipsilaterally for all atypia types combined.

This information challenges previously held assumptions on breast cancer risk factors. It was previously believed that cancer should develop equally without regards to laterality. However, the data suggests that more cancer developed in the same breast as the lesions than contralateral.

Dr. Freya Schnabel from NYU School of Medicine on Predicting Breast Cancer by Atypia Type

Author | Freya R. Schnabel, MD

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Dr. Schnabel Discusses the DCIS Recurrence Score

Dr. Schnabel on Predicting Breast Cancer by Atypia Type